“Companion to the Companions”

Andrew “AJ” Ettinger graduated from the Veterinary Technician Institute of Pittsburgh and has been a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the state of Ohio since 2020. He began his career at a Cleveland-area emergency hospital, where he quickly honed essential skills in triage, CPR, and critical nursing skills — cutting his teeth in the high-stakes world of veterinary medicine.

In General Practice, AJ continued practicing the emergency skills he’d built under pressure — but the slower pace revealed something else: pet owners weren’t just seeking care, they were seeking connection. They wanted to do right by their animals, so why did it still feel so complicated? AJ began to wonder: what if the problem wasn’t with the medicine, but with the setting?

Again and again, AJ heard the same frustrations echoed across the field: skilled professionals, deeply capable and compassionate, were often unable to help in the ways they truly wanted. They were tethered — to brick-and-mortar clinics, rigid schedules, and systems that didn’t always serve the pet or the person.

AJ began to imagine a different kind of care — one rooted in flexibility, trust, and the comfort of home.

Through countless conversations with pet owners and fellow veterinary technicians, AJ recognized a clear need: a truly untethered technician. Someone who could meet pets where they are — whether that means coaxing a finicky cat to take oral medication, administering insulin to a wiggly dog, or simply being present when questions arise.

AJ’s offers in-home support, guidance, and comfort — whether it’s medication assistance, training and education, or companionship during vet visits. The goal is simple: make care easier, gentler, and more attuned to each pet’s unique rhythm.